When Deng Yi arrived at the Emperor's study, Chu Zhao was discussing court affairs with Xiao Yu.
Who had spoken today, and what matters they had addressed.
Whether their proposed approaches were correct—
"I don't know that either." Chu Zhao laughed as she said this.
The child sitting upright behind the desk appeared somewhat at a loss—not because he didn't know the answer, but because he didn't know how to comfort Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao paid no mind to what the child was thinking, her gaze shifting to Deng Yi as he entered.
"No matter, the Grand Tutor is here." Chu Zhao smiled. "Let the Grand Tutor explain it to us, then we'll understand."
Deng Yi stood still and bowed. "Greetings to Your Majesty, Empress."
Xiao Yu nodded for him to rise. After Xiao Yu finished speaking, Chu Zhao instructed that a seat be brought.
Qi Gonggong personally carried over a round stool.
Deng Yi unceremoniously took his seat, glancing at the documents on the desk. The court proceedings were all recorded. He said, "I cannot definitively say whether this matter is right or wrong, for everything remains theoretical until put into practice. In about half a month, we can provide Your Majesty with feedback."
Xiao Yu hesitated briefly, looking at Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao said to him, "Speak your mind, A Yu. You can say anything in front of the Grand Tutor."
Xiao Yu then looked at Deng Yi and asked curiously, "What if it turns out wrong?"
Deng Yi replied, "Then we shall punish the officials and compensate the people."
Xiao Yu murmured, "But there would still be losses."
Deng Yi said, "Your Majesty should not fear making mistakes. Nothing in this world is foolproof."
Indeed, Xiao Yu understood this point well. Just as the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, despite having numerous guards and being heaven's favored ones, could still meet unexpected deaths. He fell silent.
"However, the court will make preparations to deal with contingencies and strive to minimize adverse outcomes," Deng Yi added, rising to bow. "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Your servants will spare no effort in protecting Your Majesty's subjects."
Xiao Yu glanced at Chu Zhao, who signaled for him to stand.
Xiao Yu then rose from behind the desk, walked up to Deng Yi, and supported him with his small hands, his childish voice declaring, "With the Grand Tutor here, I have no worries about any matter."
Deng Yi expressed gratitude again and straightened up.
Chu Zhao smiled. "Very well, court matters are concluded. A Yu, it's time for your lessons."
As Emperor, he needed to familiarize himself with court affairs, but as a six-year-old child, studying was even more important.
Xiao Yu could neglect neither.
Deng Yi bowed and took his leave. Qi Gonggong went to summon the waiting tutors. Chu Zhao exhorted Xiao Yu to study well before following Deng Yi out.
"How did you speak with Young Master Xie the Third?" Deng Yi paused, letting Chu Zhao walk ahead before catching up to ask.
Chu Zhao smiled. "Naturally, it was for His Majesty's sake."
Deng Yi looked at her. After court, the girl had changed out of her Empress ceremonial robes into simple dress, still bearing traces of youthful innocence.
Yet from the first day he met this girl, he knew innocence had nothing to do with her.
Before the Emperor's first court session, she had summoned him, saying she had matters to discuss.
......
When Deng Yi arrived, Chu Zhao was eating. Seeing him, her eyes sparkled with laughter.
"A Le, A Le," she said. "Quickly bring bowls and chopsticks for the Grand Tutor."
That familiar maid cheerfully fetched the utensils.
"Lord Deng," she added. "Try this quickly—the Imperial Cuisine is much more delicious than what we had at Elegant Interest Pavilion."Deng Yi couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. The remark was rustic and crude, comparing ordinary meals to Imperial Cuisine. However, he glanced around and noticed the maids standing attendance in the hall remained expressionless, showing no hint of mockery, as if they hadn't heard anything at all.
Chu Zhao, her maid, and another stern-faced, fierce-looking girl carried an aura completely foreign to the palace. Yet, strangely, they didn't seem out of place; instead, they appeared entirely at ease and unrestrained.
She was the mistress of the palace.
Deng Yi did not decline. He sat down, accepted the bowl and chopsticks, and took a few bites. "The Imperial Cuisine in the inner palace is more delicious than that in the outer halls," he remarked.
As the Regent and having presided over the funerals of the late Emperor, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and others in succession, Deng Yi had almost taken up permanent residence in the outer halls, eating and drinking within the palace.
Hearing this, Chu Zhao laughed. "How dare these people treat the Grand Tutor with such neglect!"
"It's not just me," Deng Yi replied. "All the court officials are treated the same."
Naturally, the meals provided by the Imperial Kitchen for officials could not compare to those served in the inner palace.
Chu Zhao smiled but did not pursue the matter of holding the Imperial Kitchen accountable. Instead, she turned to A Le and said, "From now on, the Grand Tutor's meals will be sent from our kitchen."
A Le acknowledged the order.
There was a distinction between inner and outer courts. Officials were not permitted to partake of the Emperor's Imperial Cuisine, but trusted and esteemed ministers could be granted such a privilege as a favor. This distinction was not a bad thing—it was both a rule and a mark of grace and honor.
Was this girl born to be part of the royal family? So young, yet she understood everything. Deng Yi was curious: how had Chu Ling raised his daughter? Surely, he hadn't groomed her to be an Empress.
He did not refuse and expressed his thanks. Without further pleasantries, he asked directly, "What does Your Highness require of me?"
Chu Zhao said, "It's about His Majesty attending court."
After speaking, she signaled to A Le, who led the maids out. Xiao Man, however, remained standing motionless. Even when A Le shot her a meaningful glance, she paid no heed, so A Le did not insist.
Deng Yi didn't care whether there was one more or one less person in the hall. He had guessed that Chu Zhao summoned him out of concern for the Little Emperor's first court session and wanted to instruct him to look after the boy.
"Your servant—" he began.
But Chu Zhao spoke first. "Grand Tutor, I wish to accompany His Majesty to court."
Deng Yi was grateful he had only taken a few bites of food and had swallowed them all; otherwise, he might have choked.
She was indeed worried about the Little Emperor, but not in the way he had expected—
This was an audacious request indeed.
"How many times does Your Majesty plan to accompany him?" he asked calmly.
One could argue during the enthronement ceremony that the Emperor was young and needed accompaniment. On the first day of court, one could also claim the Emperor was timid. But he couldn't be afraid every day. No matter how frightening something was, familiarity and habit would eventually ease the fear.
Chu Zhao smiled. "I will accompany him until His Majesty assumes personal rule."
Deng Yi chuckled, set down his chopsticks, and said, "Miss Azhao, your courage grows by the day."
So what if she had become the Empress? He, Deng Yi, still dared to call her Miss Azhao.
The title of Empress was not innate; it was bestowed by the Emperor. Since it was given by another, it could be taken away or revoked.
Chu Zhao showed no fear in response to Deng Yi's attitude. What did it matter if he spoke disrespectfully to her? She had witnessed Deng Yi slap the Emperor.
"Grand Tutor," she called, sidestepping the topic. She reached out to serve him some food. "Try this."
What was this? An attempt to curry favor? Deng Yi smiled faintly, a hint of mockery in his expression."Lord Deng," said Chu Zhao, looking at Deng Yi with a composed expression. "I intend to accompany His Majesty as he grows up. His Majesty's closest kin cannot be solely from the Xie family."
Deng Yi understood the implication behind her latter statement.
Her insistence on attending court was because of the Xie family.
She wanted to contend with the Xie family for the Little Emperor.
Indeed, she had fought desperately to protect the Little Highness and fought her way into the Imperial City, then demanded the position of Empress from the Emperor—certainly not just to preserve a relative or an emperor for the Xie family.
From the very beginning, it was for herself. Since it was for herself, she needed to make the Emperor more dependent on her. But she was a woman, and the Emperor ultimately belonged to the court. To be a good emperor, he needed to rely on those who could assist him in court, such as a maternal uncle who was both a relative and a court official.
Deng Yi reached out again to pick up the dish Chu Zhao had offered.
Seeing his action, Chu Zhao hurriedly bowed. "I beg the Grand Tutor to assist me."
She bowed, then raised her eyes to look at him, her large eyes blinking rapidly.
Deng Yi looked at the food in his chopsticks. "Should I not have eaten this meal?"
Chu Zhao laughed heartily, immediately straightening her posture and calling out loudly to A Le, "Have the Imperial Cuisine kitchen bring more dishes."
Deng Yi did not eat any more, for although he could address her as Miss Azhao, the current Miss Azhao was no longer just that identity.
"In this matter, Your Highness, the one you most need to persuade is not me," he said. "The Emperor and I will always be ruler and subject—he is my sovereign, and I am his minister. Simple and clear. Having one more person, you the Empress, in court makes no difference to me."
His eyes recognized only the Emperor.
Even if you, the Empress, sit in court, you are not his sovereign.
His words were extremely blunt.
Chu Zhao showed no trace of shame or anger, listening attentively.
"But for the Xie family, having the Empress seated beside the Emperor is very important," Deng Yi said. "So, you need to persuade the Xie family."
Chu Zhao bowed to him solemnly. "Thank you, Grand Tutor, for your guidance."
Deng Yi said indifferently, "I can help you attend court, but I will not help you persuade the Xie family."
The girl lifted her head and smiled. "Lord Deng has only eaten one meal from me, so of course you cannot help me with two matters. I will handle this myself."
...
...
Deng Yi withdrew his gaze. She had indeed accomplished it.
For the sake of His Majesty.
Of course, for His Majesty, Xie Yanfang would be capable of anything.
Deng Yi asked no more, bowed in farewell, and strode past her.
In truth, he did not care how she had persuaded Xie Yanfang.
Earlier, when she had asked for his help, it was not that she truly needed it; she was merely telling him that she did not trust Xie Yanfang.
Whom did her distrust of Xie Yanfang benefit? Of course, him.
How could he, Deng Yi, not agree to something beneficial?
Only—
Deng Yi stopped and glanced back. The girl's figure still stood before the great hall, as if watching him depart or perhaps overlooking the Imperial City.
Did she trust him?
OpenNovel